Obsessive compulsive disorder

[Kayen]

From an astrological viewpoint, what causes OCD and how is this indicated on the chart?

[starlink]

Kayen, welcome to this forum. As you might have seen in the pop-up window, we expect from you some own input on this.

So could you maybe give an indication like: OCD means ......bla bla, and it could maybe be shown by aspects between ..... and ..... or something like that. This would show that you have tried to figure it out by yourself a bit, but also would like some input from others in this forum.

See what you can come up with

Cheers, Starlink

[Winterborn]

I realize this is an old thread, so nobody's looking at it, but I just googled OCD and astrology and found it.

My thoughts are that you have to have some challenge to either the Moon or Mercury, with the Moon being the most important, as that is our unconscious emotional habit patterns, the way we seek to nurture ourselves. Mercury is our intellect, and challenges to this planet can show how tenaciously we cling to certain ideas -- but without an emotional "affliction" challenges to Mercury wouldn't necessarily show something like OCD or other disorders.

Next you'd have to have Saturn and/or Pluto involved, I think. Saturn for its propensity to instill fear and anxiety (OCD is an anxiety disorder), and Pluto for it's "all or nothing" intensity and need to eliminate/transform anything it touches.

Squares or quincunxes I think would be most involved -- a conjunction is a merging of two urges, so it doesn't have the friction of a square or quincunx, and oppositions would mostly be found in relationship conflicts. Of course mental disorders affect relationships, but the issue is an internal one, so the square fits best imo. (Although you could have a conjunction of say, Moon/Pluto or Merc/Pluto, with squares to that conjunction, etc.)

Squares/quincunxes between air and water planets would probably be the most conducive to this kind of problem than fire and water, fire and earth, or air and earth, since water is the emotional element and air is intellectual. Possibly a complete lack of the water element in the chart would have an effect, as well, as it could show a lack of integration of the emotions.

As for particular signs ... we've all heard the old adages that Aquarius is the craziest of the 12 signs and Virgo is a "neat freak" ... and while some elements of both of those saying may be true, no particular sign has a corner on the market of mental illness.

Finally, I wouldn't be surprised to find Chiron involved in this or other mental/emotional disorders ... as it represents an emotional wound that never heals.

[kimbermoon]

Indeed an interesting study...in my experience the energy of Virgo can easily become obsessive; this is also under the rule of Pluto and his afflictions. The intensity of Scorpio can also show obsessiveness...look for ill aspects between Mars, Sun and Pluto: also the Moon, as ruler of the emotional reactivity. Obsessiveness often stems from insecurity or fear. Look to Venus for indications of low self-esteem and feelings of insecurity. Also afflictions of Mercury can be involved. Compulsiveness is a common trait of fire signs...especially where Neptune is involved. Fanaticism can be associated with Uranus. An example: my s.o has Sun and Mercury opposed by Uranus and is a recovering bi-polar...just some initial thoughts to consider.